Mumbai Yellow Alert Puts India-Australia Women’s World Cup Semifinal at Risk
India-Australia clash faces reserve day rule.
Heavy rain forecasts and a yellow alert for Mumbai on Thursday jeopardize the ICC Women's World Cup semifinal between India and Australia at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. AccuWeather predicts thunderstorms throughout the day, raising concerns of another washout in a tournament already disrupted by weather. A reserve day is scheduled for Friday to accommodate delays.
Should both the match day and reserve day be abandoned without a ball bowled, Australia will advance to the final based on their superior group-stage performance. The defending champions topped their group and defeated India earlier in the tournament, securing the tiebreaker under ICC regulations. The victor will face the winner of Wednesday's England-South Africa semifinal in Sunday's final.
India suffered a major blow with opener Pratika Rawal ruled out for the tournament due to an ankle injury sustained against Bangladesh. Aggressive batter Shafali Verma has been surprisingly recalled as replacement, despite a year-long absence from ODIs and not being an original standby. She is expected to open alongside Smriti Mandhana, injecting firepower at the top.
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Australia's preparations center on captain Alyssa Healy's recovery from a calf strain that sidelined her for two group games. Having passed fitness tests and completed wicketkeeping drills, Healy is set to return, potentially resuming glovework or allowing Beth Mooney to continue. The rest of the lineup remains robust, with Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, and Ashleigh Gardner pivotal.
Team selections reflect tactical dilemmas: India debates bowling depth with Renuka Thakur leading the pace attack and spinners Radha Yadav, Sneh Rana, and Sree Charani competing for spots on a flat, dew-affected pitch. Australia may reinstate Sophie Molineux over Georgia Wareham to bolster spin. With conditions uncertain, strategic flexibility will be crucial if play commences.
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